Putter head with alignment indicator grid

ABSTRACT

An improved putter head having an alignment enhancing grid pattern formed of line elements arranged generally according to the golden mean. The grid pattern includes ball-bracketing lines and a horizonatal centerline positioned therebetween that center a golf ball at address and facilitate solid contact with the ball during the stroke.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/692,597, filed Jun. 21, 2005 (Jun. 21, 2005).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs and, moreparticularly, to a putter having visual alignment indicator grid on theupper surface of the putter head for improving a player's ability tovisualize the optimal line of the putt and, thus, to improve puttingperformance.

2. Discussion of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR §§1.97, 1.98

Putting is notoriously difficult. This is due not only to the fact thatputting greens are rarely truly flat and level, to the fact that theeffect of one or more slopes on ball roll is challenging to predict, andto the fact that the stroke itself, however simple it may appear, issubtle and excruciatingly demanding of precision.

In terms of stroke production, putting is unlike any other stroke in thegame: It is performed with a relatively motionless trunk and lowertorso; there are generally no discernible leg movements; and in currenttheory even independent arm movements are minimized so as to eliminateall extraneous motion that might undermine accurate alignment of theputter as it strikes the ball. It is now recommended that the forceapplied in a putting stroke come only from upper torso rotation aboutthe thoracic region of the spine. All other parts of the body remainessentially still. In effect, putting mechanics are reduced to onlywhatever is necessary and sufficient for delivering the putter head intoand through the resting ball along the intended line of the putt with asquarely aligned putter face and with sufficient force to deliver theball the distance to the hole. Presumably, this ensures the greatestlikelihood of keeping the putter square and “on-line.”

To the ball-striking purist, however, the rigid and seeminglynon-athletic quality of the putting stroke makes it an awkward companionto the powerful and graceful quality of well-executed full swings. Theincongruity is so great that putting has been aptly likened to sittingdown to play chess in the middle of a tennis match. Consequently, manygolfers have wished that putting be wholly jettisoned from the game ofgolf, including Ben Hogan, who only grudgingly conceded that it ought tobe a part of the game. Regardless of the carping and complaining,however, putting is here to stay, and it will continue to be the ruin ofmany an otherwise fine professional player.

It should be remarked that it is only in putting that the phenomenon ofthe yips is evident. Byron Nelson retired early in no small part becauseof a bad case of the “yips.” Considerable investigation has gone intodetermining the cause of this vexing problem, and until recently it waslargely a mystery. Now, due to brain imaging studies by Nancy Byl,Ph.D., and Michael Merzenich of the University of California SanFrancisco School of Medicine, the “yips” may have been identified as aninstance of learning-induced de-differentiation of the representation ofthe hand in the primary somatosensory cortex. See, for example, Byl, NN, Merzenich, M M, Jenkin, W M, A primate genesis model of focaldystonia and repetitive strain injury: Ann Neurrology 1996; 47: 509-520;and Byl, N N, Merzenich, M., The neural consequences of repetition:Clinical implications of a learning hypothesis. J. of hand Therapy,1997; April-June: 160-174. The studies suggest that in some cases,repetitive practice of stereotypical movements involving co-contractionsof the muscles of the hand and arm may induce a learning catastropheresulting in potentially permanent neurological changes giving rise touncontrollable muscular contractions, including spasms. It is possiblethat a contributory factor to this malady is the inability of the golferto easily and clearly see the line of the putt, introducing a level ofanxiety in the performance, and thus placing too much emphasis on thefeel and the control of the putter. When practiced repetitively in thisemotionally heightened environment, the somatosensory map of theaction/feel expands too broadly within the brain, and too many neuronsare recruited to sense and control the simple action. This underminesappropriate muscular inhibition de-differentiates the appropriatemuscular involvement. In effect, too many muscles fire offsimultaneously, the hands turn into virtual claws, and the putter isjerked, yanked, “yipped” in a convulsive or spasmodic manner. Obviously,this is not the optimal internal performance climate. And one route toavoiding such extreme conditions is to provide strong visual cues toassist in performing the precise actions more easily.

Countless innovative golfers have contributed to the art and science ofputting with inventive contributions to golf club technology. Some haveendeavored to enhance a player's ability to develop “feel” for puttingby improving the materials and shapes of the putter head, the shaft, andthe grip. Some have endeavored to improve a player's ability to “read” agreen, or visualize the ideal line of a putt for an intended forceapplied to the ball. Some have endeavored to improve putting strokemechanics by altering the weight distribution of mass in the putterhead, or changing the very way the putter is employed. And some haveendeavored to improve the player's ability to ascertain at addresswhether the putter face is properly aligned with the intended line ofthe putt or whether during the stroke the putter head is traveling on aproper path. It is to this latter class of improvements that the instantinvention belongs.

There is little disagreement about the need to“read” a putt well andthen to “see” clearly that the putter is properly oriented relative tothe intended line of the putt, both at address and as the putter headmoves through the ball. There is much disagreement, however, about howthis is best accomplished. Historically, the efforts have concentratedin improved reference lines and their placement on the putter head,lighted guides of various kinds; training mats and club guides; andcombinations thereof. Recent technology intended to solve the problem ofproperly aligning a putter is reflected in the following exemplaryreferences:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,799, issued Jan. 4, 2005 to Cameron et al, disclosesa method of aligning a putter, which includes the steps of providing aputter having a head and an offset hosel, and a flat striking face thatincludes a removable reflecting surface for receiving and reflectingincident light. Laser light directed down the shaft of the putter ispartly reflected from the reflecting surface and is directed to anddetected by a reference device the compares the alignment withpredetermined reference lines.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,112, issued Jun. 1, 2004 to Nelson, shows a golfputter visual alignment aid comprising a rear edge parallel to the frontsurface of the putter head, and a back body having a flange portion thatextends rearwardly and has an upper surface displaced below the topledge of the putter head. The flange includes a reference lineperpendicular to the front surface and rear edge. The face member andback body have contrasting colors.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,619, issued Jun. 25, 2002, teaches a putterprecision machined to have a concave horizontal face from the heel totoe of the hitting face. The curvature of the concave horizontal facemay range from an arc of a five-foot radius circle to an arc of aone-foot radius circle with the center point at the center of the hole.Accordingly, the curvature of the striking face ranges from thereciprocal of five feet to the reciprocal of one foot. Markings on thetop surface assist with both aiming and centering the ball in thecurvature. The marking is an arc of a concentric circle of the golf ballin front of the putter face and has a radius of curvature which is afunction of the radius from the center point of a golf ball abutting thestriking face.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,035, issued Jun. 29, 1999 to Caiozzo, discloses aputter head having an elongate flat front hitting surface, an arcuatecavity extending from the back surface toward the hitting surface, and asubstantially semicircular rear section attached to and extending backfrom the front section. The rear section has a semicircular lip arrangedaround the edge, and a keyhole-shaped cutout extending from a rearmostpoint of the rear section toward a center point of the front section.The putter head has a beveled bottom surface encompassing the front andrear sections. Parallel grooves are arranged on the top surface of thefront section. The grooves run in a direction perpendicular to the planeof the hitting surface and are arranged above the arcuate cavity. Thegrooves define an optimum area for hitting a golf ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,731, issued Jun. 22, 1999 to Westerman, shows amallet-style putter head with a blade front surface attached such thatits bottom surface is suspended above the bottom surface of the malletportion for reducing unwanted scuffing of the putting surface during thestriking of the golf ball. The mallet portion has its mass uniformlydistributed between heel and toe portions of the mallet portion. A shaftextends upwardly from a heel of the mallet portion and includes a doublebend spaced from the mallet portion for positioning a shaft handle abovethe blade portion and providing face balancing to the putter. The massof the mallet portion is sufficient for reducing torque on the shaftduring the striking of the golf ball and provides a desirable feel forthe golfer during the putting stroke. Alignment aids include a smoothlycontoured channel carried within a top surface of the mallet portionwhich forms opposing parallel side wall edges transversely spaced by thediameter of the golf ball for aligning the golf ball within imaginarylines extending forward from the opposing side wall edges through thefront face.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,078, issued Nov. 3, 1998, to McMahan, teaches aputter head having a planar front surface and a rear portion of the clubhead includes a cantilever portion including a semi-circular arcbisected by a centerline extending substantially perpendicular to thefront surface. The semi-circular arc includes a expansion which movesthe center of mass of the rear portion a distance rearward of therespective centers of mass of the heel and toe portions and rearward ofthe combined center of mass of the heel and toe portions. Front and rearsighting lines may also be included along the central axis of the clubhead at or near the top edge of the head or on the expansion of thecantilever portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,070, issued Nov. 28, 1995, to Bendo, discloses aputter having a T-shaped head with an elongated stem extendingrearwardly from the front face and laterally extending arms whichterminate in integral enlargements that form weights. The stem and armsof the T-shape have a forward, normally vertically arranged surfacewhich provide a ball striking surface on the head. Markings may beformed on the upper surface of the arms and stem for providing sightlines for aiming the stem along a desired direction.

The foregoing patents and prior art devices reflect the current state ofthe art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, anddiscussion of, these patents is intended to aid in dischargingApplicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information thatmay be relevant to the examination of prospective claims to the presentinvention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of theabove-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwiserender obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, theinvention described herein. Moreover, many of the disclosed putters havea “busy” appearance, making alignment at address a needlessly cerebralaffair. Still further problems reside in the sometimes exotic, and evendispleasing appearance that the putters must assume to embody thedisclosed technology.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved putter head having a grid patternwith unique alignment characteristics and features.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved putter head having an alignment enhancing grid pattern formedof line elements arranged generally according to the golden mean, goldenratio, golden proportion, divine proportion, extreme ratio, goldensection, golden cut, or sectio divina, as it is variously known.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved putter head that gives the user increased confidence resultingfrom the geometric balance inherent in its alignment aiding gridpattern.

A further object or feature of the present invention is a new andimproved putter head comprising a block of material that itself isdimensioned according to the golden ratio.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novelputter head having a grid pattern on its top surface which includesparallel ball bracketing lines that assist in placing the center of massof the putter head behind the ball at address and directing it at thecenter of mass of the ball through impact.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as toorganization and method of operation, together with further objects andadvantages thereof will be better understood from the followingdescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way ofexample. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawingsare for illustration and description only and are not intended as adefinition of the limits of the invention. The various features ofnovelty that characterize the invention are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of thisdisclosure. The invention does not reside in any one of these featurestaken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of itsstructures for the functions specified.

There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which thisdisclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designingof other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the severalpurposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that theclaims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar asthey do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of theputter head of the present invention showing the putter positioned inrelation to a ball, as it would be at address in preparation for a putt;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the putter head showing the top surface andvisual alignment grid;

FIG. 3 is a rear side view in elevation taken along the lines shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view looking toward either the heel or toeportion of the first preferred embodiment, each view being identical invisual features;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the putterhead;

FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation taken along the lines shown in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view looking toward either the heel or toeportion of a second preferred embodiment, each view being identical invisual features;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a third preferred embodiment of theinventive putter head;

FIG. 9 is a side view in elevation taken along the lines shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view looking toward either the heel or toeportion of a third preferred embodiment, each view being identical invisual features;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a fourth preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a fifth preferred embodiment.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   100 putter head-   110 block-   120 top surface-   130 bottom surface-   140 toe portion-   150 heel portion-   160 a ball-striking surface-   160 b ball-striking surface-   170 grid-   180 horizontal line-   185 toe portion intermediate horizontal line-   190 horizontal line-   195 heel portion horizontal line-   200 vertical line-   210 vertical line-   220 horizontal centerline-   230 toe portion of vertical centerline-   230′ heel portion of vertical centerline-   240 apex-   240 apex-   B golf ball-   260 intersection point of centerlines-   270 shaft hole-   230′ heel portion of vertical centerline-   300 second preferred embodiment-   310 block-   320 top surface-   330 a bottom surface-   340 a toe portion-   350 a heel portion-   350 a front ball-striking surface-   360 b rear ball-striking surface-   370 visual indicator grid-   380 a upper horizontal line-   380 b upper ball bracketing line-   390 a lower horizontal line-   390 b lower ball bracketing line-   400 front vertical line-   410 rear vertical line-   420 horizontal centerline-   430 vertical centerline-   440 apex-   450 apex-   δ distance between ball bracketing lines-   460 intersection point of horizontal and vertical centerlines-   470 shaft hole-   S club shaft-   ABCD upper rectangle-   DCEF lower rectangle-   500 third preferred embodiment-   510 heel portion-   520 toe portion-   530 a front surface-   530 b rear surface-   600 fourth preferred embodiment-   610 rectangle-   620 rectangle-   630 rectangle-   640 rectangle-   650 toe-   660 heel-   670 front side-   680 back side-   690 grid forming rectangle-   700 grid forming rectangle-   710 grid forming rectangle-   720 grid forming rectangle-   800 fifth preferred embodiment-   810 rectangle-   820 rectangle-   830 rectangle-   840 rectangle-   850 toe-   860 heel-   870 front side-   880 back side-   890 grid forming rectangle-   900 grid forming rectangle-   910 grid forming rectangle-   920 grid forming rectangle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, wherein like reference numerals referto like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein anew and improved golf putter head, the illustrative five preferredembodiments of which are herein generally denominated 100, 300, and 500,600, and 800, respectively.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the inventiveputter head 100, showing that the novel apparatus comprises amallet-style block 110 with its mass substantially evenly distributed,and having a substantially planar top surface 120, a bottom surface 130(preferably substantially planar), a toe portion 140, a heel portion150, and at least one planar ball-striking surface 160 a, 160 b, one ofwhich will comprise a back surface, depending on the side from which theuser putts.

The planar top surface of the putter head includes visual alignmentindicator lines comprising a grid 170 of a tone or color that sharplycontrasts with the color or tone of the block. Preferably the block isblack and the grid is white, though any of a number of suitablecontrasting colors and tones can be employed. The grid includes, at aminimum, parallel upper and lower horizontally disposed lines, 180, 190,respectively; parallel front and rear vertically disposed lines, 200,210, respectively; a horizontal centerline 220 parallel to the upper andlower horizontally disposed lines; and a vertical centerline having atoe portion 230 and a heel portion 230′, each being parallel to thefront and rear vertically disposed lines. Preferably, the grid alsoincludes a toe portion intermediate horizontal line 185 disposed betweenthe upper horizontal line and the horizontal centerline, and a heelportion intermediate horizontal line 195 disposed between the lowerhorizontal line and the horizontal centerline.

Collectively, the horizontal and vertical lines form a grid of eightrectangles: four equally-sized small exterior rectangles and fourequally-sized large interior rectangles. The short sides of the smaller(uppermost and lowermost) rectangles have a length x that issubstantially in the golden ratio relative to the length of the shortsides y of the larger rectangles. That is:(y+x)÷y=y÷x

As is well known, this ratio is an irrational number with a value of1.618033989. However, as a practical matter, manufacturing limitationsdo not permit such careful control of the grid dimensions, and the sidestherefore have a ratio with a value of approximately 1.618.

Next, the vertical centerline is immediately above the longitudinal axisof the center of mass of the block. Further, it will be appreciated thatin the first preferred embodiment, the heel and toe portions are eachconvex, curving gently outwardly from the center of the block, eachhaving an apex 240, 250, intersected by a hypothetical projection orextension of the vertical centerline.

The horizontal centerline is immediately above the lateral axis of thecenter of mass of the block. Accordingly, the horizontal centerline maybe employed as an aid to aligning the putter head with the center ofmass of a golf ball B for solid contact. Additionally, the horizontalcenterline and the vertical centerline intersect at a point 260immediately above the geometric center and the center of mass of theblock, which point is also the uppermost tangent to the shaft hole 270into which the club shaft S is installed at an angle suited to theuser's needs. If extended hole 270 into which the club shaft S isinstalled at an angle suited to the user's needs. If extended beyond theupper and lower horizontally disposed lines, the vertical centerlinewould intersect the apices of each of the convex arcs at the heel andtoe portions. Preferably, the center of mass of that portion of theshaft embedded in the block is coincident with the center of mass of theblock. In each of the preferred embodiments, the center of mass of theputter head block lies substantially on the horizontal centerline,whether or not it is located on the vertical centerline. Overall, then,the putter head of the present invention is geometrically andstructurally balanced with no element that would compromise or underminethe subtle cues that inform proper alignment and mechanics in theputting stroke.

As the element name implies, the visual indicator lines are employed asan aid to alignment. In the instant invention, the vertically disposedlines are used to help see, track, and select the intended line and theintermediate alignment point. The heel portion 230′ of the verticalcenterline 230, as viewed from above while addressing the ball, shouldbe not visible either in the setup or stroke. If the user's head is toofar forward or too far back at setup, he or she will see the line oneither side of the shaft. Also if the user fans the face open or closed,he or she will see the line which will indicate that he is swinging theputter on the proper swing plane. If the hands are pressed too farforward or too far back at address, he will see the heel middle line.All of these things are intended to help develop a solid and connectedsetup of your hands, arms and body to the putter. Using this visualindicator as described, the correct setup forces the user to positionhis eyes behind the ball and over the intended line of the putt, whichalso facilitates seeing the line better.

Ideally the ratio of the length of the block (as measured from the tipof the toe to the base of the heel) to the width of the block (asmeasured from the front to rear planar striking surfaces), preferablyconform to the golden ratio (1.618033989), or a substantialapproximation thereof. It is known that rectangles having thesedimensional ratios are most pleasing to the eye, and it is submittedthat this phenomenon contributes to the overall effectiveness of thealignment system of the inventive apparatus. More specifically, theputter head of the present invention includes alignment indicatinggeometry that closely approximates the golden proportion not merelybecause such the proportion is pleasing to the eye, but because itfacilitates a more accurate perception of the optimum putting line andinitial direction of the line of the putt.

Accordingly, preferred dimensions of the inventive putter head include alength of 4.0 inches, a width of 2.5 inches, and a height (measured fromthe top to the bottom surface) of 0.979 inches. As will be readilyappreciated by those with skill in the art, different lengths and widthscould be used while preserving the desired ratio, and there is nothingin the inventive design that necessitates the specific preferreddimensions described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, in a second preferred embodiment 300, theinventive putter head is generally identical to the first preferredembodiment, thus comprising a block 310 with an evenly distributed mass,a planar top surface 320, a bottom surface 330, a toe portion 340, aheel portion 350, and front and rear planar surfaces 360 a, 360 b, eachof may be employed for striking putts.

The visual indicator grid 370 includes an upper horizontal line 380 a,an upper ball bracketing line 380 b, respectively, each disposed abovethe shaft hole; as well as a lower horizontal line, 390 a, and a lowerball bracketing line 390 b, respectively, each disposed below the shafthole, and all of which are parallel to one another. The grid furtherincludes front and rear vertically disposed lines, 400, 410,respectively. A horizontal centerline 420 is parallel to all otherhorizontally disposed lines, and a vertical centerline 430 is parallelto the front and rear vertically disposed lines. In this secondpreferred embodiment, the heel and toe portions are each concave,curving gently inward toward the center of the block from substantiallythe front planar surface 360 a to the rear planar surface 360 b, andeach having an apex 440, 450, intersected by a hypothetical extension ofthe vertical centerline 430.

As suggested in FIG. 5, the distance δ between the ball bracketing linesis that of the diameter of a golf ball, preferably the smallest diameterof a ball allowed under the USGA Rules of Golf, Appendix III, i.e.,1.680 inches (42.67 mm). Thus, using the ball bracketing lines theplayer may literally bracket the golf ball at address and during thestroke. These lines alone will assist the user in finding the geometriccenter of mass of the inventive putter head, as that point is locatedprecisely between the ball bracketing lines and behind the front surface360 a. The horizontal centerline 420 complements the ball-bracketinglines in aiding the user to place the center of mass of the putter headdirectly behind the center of mass of the golf ball, both preparatory toand during the stroke.

As in the first preferred embodiment, the vertical centerline of thesecond preferred embodiment is immediately above the longitudinal axisof the center of mass of the block and the horizontal centerline isimmediately above the lateral axis of the center of mass of the block.Again, the horizontal centerline may be employed as an aid to aligningthe putter head with the center of mass of a golf ball B for solidcontact. And, again, the horizontal centerline and the verticalcenterline intersect at a point 460 immediately above the center of massof the block, which point is also the uppermost tangent to the shafthole 470 into which the club shaft S is inserted.

If the block of the putter head is not made in substantial conformitywith dimensions conforming to the golden ratio, it is preferable thatthe length-to-width ratio of the sides of the upper and lowerrectangles, ABCD and DCEF, respectively, be substantially those of thegolden ratio. In fact, it is more important that the rectanglesimmediately above and below the shaft be the golden ratio than it isthat the block itself be dimensioned to embody the golden ratio.Accordingly, in view of the fact that the ball bracketing lines areseparated 1.680 inches (±0.10 inches) in diameter, the ideal distancefrom ball bracketing lines 380 b and 390 b to horizontal centerline 420is 0.82 inches (±0.10 inches), and the length of the lines AB and FE is1.359 (±0.10 inches); i.e., 0.82 inches multiplied by 1.6180. With thesegeometric principles incorporated into the visual indicator grid atopthe upper surface of the block, the block may take any of a number offunctional shapes having a balanced distribution of mass about thecenter of mass of the putter head. This is seen most clearly in theslightly more complex (but nonetheless balanced) designs shown in FIGS.11 and 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, in a third preferred embodiment 500, theputter head of the present invention is substantially identical to thesecond preferred embodiment in all of its elements, features, andcharacteristics, with the exception that the concave heel and toeportions, 510, 520, do not extend from substantially the front and rearplanar surfaces 530 a, 530 b. Rather, the concavity comprises aninterior region of the heel and toe portions, thereby leaving the blockwith a substantially rectangular appearance.

Once again, it is more important that the rectangles ABCD and DCEFembody the golden ratio than it is that the putter head block do so.Indeed, as FIGS. 11 and 12 show, fourth and fifth preferred embodiments,600 and 800, respectively, include variations on the placement of thegeometric elements of the present invention. In these embodiments,representing a dome-shaped putter head 600, and bell-shaped putter head800, the rectangles comprising the golden mean are rotated relative tothose presented on the top surface of the earlier embodiments.Accordingly, in FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, rectangles 610, 620, 630,and 640, and 810, 820, 830, and 840 are arranged so that the shortestsides of the side-by-side rectangles are adjacent as viewed from putterhead toe 650 to heel 660, and 850, 860. Thus, the longest sides areadjacent as viewed from putter head front 670 to back 680, and 870, 880.In each embodiment, additional rectangles 690, 700, 710, 720, and 890,900, 910, 920, are included to provide the advantageous grid patternthat aids in alignment.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode ofpracticing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. Whilethere is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferredembodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the inventionto the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operationshown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions,changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the artand may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spiritand scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternativematerials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms,functions, operational features or the like. For instance, the bottomsurface of the block can be manufactured to have a beveled surface,wherein with the block inverted, so that the bottom surface isuppermost, all sides of the block can slope inwardly to form a truncatedtetrahedron with all of the bevels having a trapezoidal shape. This willalso help in elevating the center of mass of the putter well above theground and above the horizontal line running through the center of massof the ball, thus ensuring that the ball, when struck, tends to rollover, rather than pop up into the air, as happens with putters having acenter of mass below the line through the center of mass of the ball.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined bythe appended claims.

1. A golf putter head, comprising a putter head block having having atoe portion, a heel portion, at least one planar ball-striking surface,a bottom surface, and a top surface having a visual alignment indicator,wherein either said putter head block or said visual alignment indicatorincludes line elements sized in accordance with the golden ratio.
 2. Theputter of claim 1, wherein said visual alignment indicator is a gridcomprising a plurality of lines including parallel upper and lowerhorizontal lines, parallel front and rear vertical lines, a horizontalcenterline parallel to said upper and lower horizontal lines, a toeportion intermediate horizontal line disposed between said horizontalcenterline and said upper horizontal line, a heel portion intermediatehorizontal line disposed between said said horizontal centerline andsaid lower horizontal line, and a vertical centerline parallel to saidfront and rear vertical lines.
 3. The putter head of claim 2, whereinsaid horizontal and vertical lines form a grid of eight rectangles. 4.The putter head of claim 3, wherein said rectangles include fourequally-sized large interior rectangles and four equally sized smallexterior rectangles.
 5. The putter head of claim 4, wherein the shortsides of said small rectangles and the length y of said short sides ofsaid large rectangles are substantially in the golden ratio.
 6. Theputter head of claim 2, wherein said putter head block has alongitudinal axis of a center of mass, said vertical centerline includesa toe portion and a heel portion, and said toe portion of said verticalcenterline is disposed above said longitudinal axis of the center ofmass of said putter head block.
 7. The putter head of claim 2, whereinone or more of said heel and toe portions are convex.
 8. The putter headof claim 7, wherein said heel and toe portions each include an apexwhich intersects an extension of said vertical centerline.
 9. The putterhead of claim 2, wherein one or more of said heel and toe portions areconcave.
 10. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said putter head blockincludes a lateral axis of the center of mass, and wherein saidhorizontal centerline is disposed above said lateral axis of the centerof mass of said putter head block.
 11. The putter head of claim 2,wherein said horizontal centerline and said vertical centerlineintersect at a point disposed immediately above the geometric center andcenter of mass of said putter head block.
 12. The putter head of claim11, wherein said point is a tangent to a shaft hole into which the agolf club shaft is installed at an angle.
 13. The putter head of claim1, wherein the ratio of the length of said block to the width of saidblock is substantially that of the golden ratio.
 14. The putter head ofclaim 2, including upper and lower ball bracketing lines separated by adistance approximately that of the diameter of a regulation golf ball.15. The putter head of claim 14, wherein said horizontal centerline isevenly positioned between said upper and lower ball bracketing lines.16. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said putter head block isdome-shaped.
 17. The putter head of claim 2, wherein said putter headblock is bell-shaped.
 18. A golf putter head, comprising: a putter headblock having a top surface with line elements arranged generallyaccording to the golden mean.
 19. The putter head of claim 18, whereinsaid line elements form a plurality of rectangles.
 20. The putter headof claim 19, wherein said rectangles in combination include at least twolines that bracket and center a golf ball at address.